Process of separating liquids from solids.



H. G. NICHOLS. PROCESS OF SEPARATING LIQUIDS FROM SOLIDS.

LAPPLIUATION FILED APR.3

Patented May 17, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITNESSES HLG. NICHOLS.

PROCESS OF SEPARATING LIQUIDS FROM sou s.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 3, 1908.

958,272., Patented May 17, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ANDREW B GRAHAM 004 PNOIO-LITMQGRAFHERS. WASHINGTON D C:

omen srarns TNT @FFIQE.

PROCESS OF SEPARATING LIQUIDS FROM SOLIDS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, IIORAGE GEORGE NIoH- oLs, engineer, a subject of theKing of Great Britain, residing at the Ymir Gold Mines Limited, nearYmir, British Columbia, Dominion of Canada, haveinvented new and usefulImprovements in Processes of Separating Liquids from Solids, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to the separation of the liquid and solidcomponents of wet slimes or ore pulp or the like; and primarily isdesigned to provide a simple, inexpensive and rapid method and means bywhich the wet slimes or sand and slimes (from which the valuablecontents have been extracted by the well-known or any suitable cyanidprocess from gold and silver ores, etc.) may be separated from the(valuable) cyanid solution, or generally this invention may be employedfor extracting the solid contents from mill tailings or any ore pulp towhich same may be applicable.

Furthermore the present invention has for its object (inter alia) toassist or cause or enable the rapid settlement of the solid matter insuspension in a fluid mass (6. g. the finely ground material from orepulp) by steadily and continuously withdrawing said solid matter, as itsettles; such settled solid matter being withdrawnas it settles from ornear the deepest part of a settling tank or other vessel (or acompartment therein) into which the fluid mass is introduced; and byintroducing the wet slimes or ore pulp into said vessel, etc., and bywith drawing the clear solution in such a manner or in such wise as tocause as little disturbance as possible to the whole fluid mass in saidtank vessel or compartment and thereby interfere as little as possiblewith the settling action taking place in said tank vessel orcompartment.

Now according to the present invention I cause or permit the solidmatter to settle in such settling tank or vessel (or special settlingcompartment therein) and, as it settles, withdraw such settled solidmatter continuously and steadily from the lower part of such tank orvessel or compartment by means of an endless traveling belt which iscaused to move in close proximity to the bottom of said settling tank orvessel or settling com- Specifieation of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 3, 1908.

Patented May 17, 1910. Serial No. 425,068.

partment or in close proximity to the point of discharge of said settledmatter from the said settling vessel or compartment onto the belt; andthis belt brings the deposited solid matter to the exterior of the saidsettling tank or vessel etc. and there discharges same.

This said belt, as the solid matter is deposited thereon, passes in anupward direction so as to bring the solid matter on said belt to a pointabove the top level of the fluid mass; and the solid matter, thuswithdrawn from the fluid mass, can then be removed from the belt (beforethe latter returns into the tank or vessel or under the compartmentaforesaid) and thereafter this solid matter can either be subjected to awashing operation (as hereinafter described) or otherwise disposed of inany desired manner.

Heretofore in apparatus (such as is known in the gold mining industry asslime separa-- tors) for separating solid from the liquid components ofwet slimes, and also in apparatus for separating parts of theconstituents of ores and other solid bodies from the remainder thereofit has been proposed to employ a tank with an endless conveyer-belttherein adapted to carry out of the tank any solid matter depositedthereon, said conveyerbelt being caused to travel in an upward directionand thereby carry the solid matter deposited thereon out of the tank;and fur thermore in such known apparatus it has been proposed to guidesuch endless conveyorbelt over the inside and outside of the tank and tocause same to travel around in a continuous manner, and at or near thepoint where such belt emerges from the tank it has been proposed todeliver the ore pulp upon the belt where it is traveling outwardly andjust before it emerges from the tank, with the result that although someof the solid matter might thus be separated and carried off by the beltnevertheless this proposed method would not and could not admit ofsettling action taking place as in the present invention as the proposedformer process above referred to lacks the essential conditions topermit the necessary settling action to take place.

In carrying out the present invention the supply of wet slimes or orepulp is advantageously introduced into the settling tank chamber orcompartment as closely as possible or in close proximity to thefiltering surface or surfaces of a suction filtering device adapted, byapplying thereto alternate suction and pressure, alternately to draw offthe clear liquid and to force the solids, which have been collected(during suction) on the filtering surfaces, oil the latter; the wetslimes Ol' ore pulp being introduced into the settling tank chamber orcompartment and the various parts of the apparatus being arranged anddevised in suchwise as to avoid as much as possible the setting up ofcurrents or circulation or otherwise disturbing the fluid mass in saidsettling tank chamber or compartment.

The settling tank-chamber or compartment may either be a separate tankor other vessel advantageously having an upwardly and outwardly slopingbottom and having an opening in the lowermost part of such settlingchamber or compartment through which opening the settled solid matter isdeposited on the conveycrbelt as it travels past said bottom opening;and this separate settling tank or vessel may be located within andimmersed in the deepest part of a tank with sloping bottom along whichlatter said conveyor-belt travels; or said separate settling tank orvessel may be connected direct with a trunk or conduit or passage-waywithin which the said conveyor-belt travels; or in place of a separatetank or vessel as aforesaid the main tank (which may have an upwardlysloping bottom as aforesaid) may be provided with a partition (orpartitions) arranged vertically or otherwise therein so as to provide asettling chamber or compartment (or compartments) in the deepest or deepend or part of the main tank to which the ore pulp supply etc. isintroduced.

I will now proceed to fully described my present inventionwith referenceto the drawings hereunto anneXed-as carried into practice for theseparation of the solid components and liquid components or ore pulp orwet slimes.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:Figure 1 is a diagrammatic sideelevationpart-ly in section-of one form of apparatus according to mypresent invention. Fig. 2 is a similar view of a similar apparatus butshowing the arrangement of a plurality of such apparatus for use insuccession, and also showing the means for in troducing the ore pulp orwet slimes and withdrawing clear liquid; and Fig. 3 is a plan view ofFig. 2. Fig. 4L is a similar view to Fig. 1, but showing a modifiedconstruction.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3: In a suitable framework or support A, I mounta settling tank or vessel B which may for example be of circular form incross-section at the upper part thereof see Fig. 3, (either of conicalform-as in Fig. l,or formed with a conical or downwardly converginglower part or bottom see Fig. 2) and having an opening l3 in the bottompart thereof in communication with the trunk C in which travels theendless conveyer belt D; this trunk C at the upper end commences at apoint C above the highest level attained by the liquid in the settlingtank, and from this uppermost point C the trunk descends to itslowermost point near the bottom opening of said settling chamber (atwhich lowermost point a roller E is provided for said conveyer-belt D topass around) and from this point the trunk C rises upwardly at asuitable incline (say from 20 to 25 from the horizontal) again to apoint C above the normal level of the liquid in the settling tank; andthe conveyer-belt D which passes through this trunk G emerges at thetermination C of this trunk C and extends toa still higher point, andthen passes over one or more rollers F, F and then returns exteriorly ofthe trunk C and tank B to the point where it enters same again, and isguided (both on the outside and inside of the trunk) by any suitablerollers and driven by any suitable means.

The wet ore pulp (or slimes, etc.) is introduced near the upper part ofthe settling chamber over the deepest point of immersion of the belt;and I arrange means to withdraw the clear solution from said settlingchamber and such withdrawing means are advantageously located as closeas possible to the point of admission of the ore pulp supply therein.These withdrawing means consist of a suction pipe or pipes G terminatingin a suction boX- or frame or device (such as the nozzle H) of suitablearea, each of which suction devices (such as H) is covered or providedwith a screen or other suitable filtering means for example textilematerial such as is at present employed in vacuum filters for slimes;and the arrangement is such asand means are provided to prevent thesolid matter thickly caking or forming a thick cake on said filtersurface of these nozzlesH namely this may be prevented by stopping thesuction and applying pressure (air or water) through the nozzles H tothereby blow off the cake or solid matter deposited on said nozzles H.

In the arrangement illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, I have shown twoseparate suction pipes G with nozzles II, the filtering surface of eachof which latter is arranged in a vertical plane and oppositely disposedto one another and located on opposite sides of and close to the pointof admission of the wet ore pulp supply through the pipe I, the outletfrom which latter may advantageously be below the surface of the liquidin the settling chamber or compartment B. Or the suction device ordevices may be disposed in any other suitable position; as for example Imay employ one (or more than one) large suction device (not shown) withvery large filtering surface thereon disposed in a horizontal plane anddirected downward in the settling chamber. Thus as the wet ore pulp orslimes solution, etc., is sup plied to the first settling chamber orcompartment B in Figs. 2 and 3, the clear liquid (cyanid solutioncontaining the values) is drawn off through said suction device ordevices G, H; while, as the solid matter of said ore pulp or slimessolution, etc., settles to the bottom of said settling chamber orcompartment B and on to the conveyer-belt D traveling below the same,said settled solid matter is carried away by said belt D in an upwarddirection and out ofto a suitable point above the normal level oftheliquid. This said solid matter thus withdrawn (which I have found tocontain about 22-%% moisture viz :-cyanid solution containing I thevalues) is delivered into the settling chamber or compartment B of asecond apparatus (shown to the right of Figs. 2 and 3) which mayadvantageously be similar to the apparatus already described; thisdelivery being facilitated by washing this solid matter off the belt Dinto the chamber B by means of the water supply or jets through thepipes K, K; in which second apparatus this solid matter is washed bymeans of any suitable amount of added wash water (say eight or ten timesin quantity) and thereby the moisture or liquid (cyanid solutioncontaining the values) carried over in and with the solid matter fromthe first I apparatus is thus diluted. Clear liquid from this weakenedcyanid solution in this second apparatus is drawn off (by suction)through the nozzles H and the pipes G as before, while the solid matteris caused or allowed to settle (rapidly) on the belt D as before, and iscarried out of the body of liquid andif desireddeposited in turn in oneor more further apparatus of a similar type and again washed andseparated the operation being repeated as often as desired untilsufficiently washed. In practice I have found three such apparatusacting in sequence, to be sufiicientz-in the first apparatus the firstdeposition and separation of the solid matter is effected, and in thenext i two apparatus respectively the said solid I matter is washed insuccession and then rei deposited and then carried out of the apparatus.After leaving the last depositing apparatus, the solid matter is thendischarged finally in any suitable manner. I am thus able to use myinvention as a continuous process by the aforesaid means.

Z is a baffle plate or partition extending partly across the chamber B(see Fig. 2) which may be used if required to further assist in keepingthe liquid mass in the chamber B in a still or quiescent condition.

Referring now to Fig. 4; in this arrange ment the belt D does not travelin a trunk such as the trunk G in Figs. 1 to 3; but on the contrary, thebelt D travels along the sloping bottom of an open tank or vessel Lwhich is filled to the desired level with the wet slimes or ore pulp;and, in this open vessel L, I arrange, toward the deep end, a slopingpartition M which extends the whole width across the tank and extendsclose down to the belt D at or near its point of deepest immersion; andalso, (if desired) I provide the end sloping partition 0 to guard thebelt (which is returned over the outside of the tank) as it descends tothe said lowest part of the tank; and I thus form a settling compartmentor chamber toward the deepest end of the tank. The ore pulp, etc., isintroduced into the settling tank vessel compartment or chamber; and, inall the ar rangements illustrated the settling action takes place insaid settling tank vessel compartment or chamber and is assisted bywithdrawing constantly the solid matter as it settles on the belt D asthe latter passes below the bottom opening of said settling compartment,etc.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent:

1. The herein described continuous proc ess for separating liquid fromsolid matter in suspension in wet slimes or ore pulp; which consists infacilitating and assisting the said solid matter, suspended in suchfluid I mass, to settle in asett-ling vessel or compartment therein byconstantly and steadily withdrawing such solid matter, as it settles,from the lower part of said vessel in close proximity below the point ofdischarge from the bottom of said settling vessel and delivering thesaid solid matter above the level of the fluid mass in said vessel andintroducing the wet slimes or ore pulp into said vessel and withdrawingthe clear liquid from said vessel in such a manner as to cause as littledisturbance as possible to the whole fluid mass in said vesselsubstantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described.

2. The herein described continuous process for separating liquid fromsolid matter in suspension in wet slimes or ore pulp; which consists infacilitating and assisting the said solid matter, suspended in suchfluid mass, to settle in a settling vessel or compartment therein byconstantly and steadily withdrawing such solid matter, as it settles,from the lower part of said vessel in close proximity below the point ofdis charge from the bottom of said settling vessel and delivering thesaid solid matter above the level of the fluid mass in said vessel andintroducing the wet slimes or ore pulp into said vessel and withdrawingthe clear liquid from said vessel in such arnanner as to cause as littledisturbance as possible to the whole fluid mass in said vessel andintroducing the wet slime or ore pulp into, and withdrawing the clearsolution from, the settling chamber at a point or points as nearly aspossible directly over the deepest available part of said settlingchamber substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described.

3. The herein described continuous process for separating liquid fromsolid matter in suspension in wetslimes or ore pulp, which consists infacilitating and assisting the said solid matter, suspended in such'fluid mass to settle in a settling vessel or compartment therein byconstantly and steadily withdrawing such solid matter, as it settles,from the lower part of said vessel in close proximity below the point ofdischarge from the bottom of said settling vessel and delivering thesaid solid matter above the level of the fluid mass in said vessel andintroducing the wet slimes or ore pulp into said vessel and withdrawingthe clear liquid from said vessel in such a manner as to cause as littledisturbance as possible to the whole fluid mass in said vessel andwithdrawing the clear solution from the settling chamber at a point orpoints as close as possible to the point or points at which the wetslime or ore pulp supply enters said settling chamber substantially asand for the purposes herein described.

l. The herein described continuous process for separating liquid fromsolid matter in suspension in wet slimes or ore pulp; which consists infacilitating and assisting the said solid matter, suspended in suchfluid mass, to settle in a settling vessel or compartment therein byconstantly and steadily withdrawing such solid matter as it settles,from the lower part of said vessel in close proximity below the point ofdischarge from the bottom of said settling vessel and delivering thesaid solid matter above the level of the fluid mass in said vessel andintroducing the wet slimes or ore pulp into said vessel and withdrawingthe clear liquid from said vessel in such a manner as to cause as littledisturbance as possible to the whole fluid mass in said vessel andagglomerating the solid matter on the filtering surface of a suctionfiltering device or devices by applying suction to the latter, andalternately-and at rapid intervalsapplying pressure through saidfiltering surfaceto thereby intermittently force the agglonr erated orpartly agglomerated solids off the surface of the filter and therebycause or assist said solids to settle rapidly, substantially in themanner and for the purpose herein described.

5. The herein described continuous process for separating liquid fromsolid matter in suspension in wet slimes or ore pulp; which consists infacilitating and assisting the said solid matter, suspended in suchfluid mass, to settle in a settling vessel or compartment therein byconstantly and steadily withdrawing such solid matter, as it settles,from the lower part of said vessel in close proximity below the point ofdischarge from the bottom of said settling vessel and delivering thesaid solid matter above the level of the fluid mass in said vessel andintroducing the wet slimes or ore pulp into said vessel and withdrawingthe clear liq-uid from said vessel in such a man ner as to cause aslittle disturbance as possible to the whole fluid mass in said vesseland introducing the wet slime or ore pulp into, and withdrawing theclear solution from, the settling chamber at a point or points as nearlyas possible directly over the deepest available part of said settlingchambe; and agglomerating the solid matter on the filteringsurface of asuction filtering device or devices by applying suction to the latter,and alternately-and at rapid intervals applying pressure through saidfiltering surface to thereby intermittently force the agglomerated orpartly agglomerated solids off the surface of the filter and therebycause or assist said solids to settle rapidly substantially as and forthe purposes herein described.

6. The herein described continuous process for separating liquid fromsolid matter in suspension in wet slimes or ore pulp, which consists infacilitating and assisting the said solid mat-ter, suspended in suchfluid mass, to settle in a settling vessel or compartment therein byconstantly and steadily withdrawing such solid matter, as it settles,from the lower part of said vessel in close proximity below the point ofdischarge from the bottom of said settling vessel and delivering thesaid solid matter above the level of the fluid mass in said vessel andintroducing the wet slimes or ore pulp into said vessel and withdrawingthe clear liquid from said vessel in such a manner to cause as littledisturbance as possible to the whole fluid mass in said vessel andwithdrawing the clear solution from the settling chamber at a point orpoints as close as possible to the point or points at which the wetslime or ore pulp supply enters said settling chamber, and agglomeratingthe solid matter on the filtering surface of a suction filtering deviceor devices by applying suction to the latter, and alt-ernately and atrapid intervalsapplying pressure In Witness whereof I have hereunto setthrough said filtering surface to thereby inmy hand in the presence oftwo Witnesses. termittently force the agglomerated or partlyagglomerated solids oi? the surface HORACE GEORGE NICHOLS 5 of thefilter and thereby cause or assist such Witnesses:

solids to settle rapidly substantially as and H. D. JAMESON,

for the purposes described. F. L. RAND.

